2026 Best French Language & Literature Master’s Degree Schools
French Language & Literature is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their french language & literature programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 544 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for french language & literature students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for French Language & Literature in the United States
These are the top schools for a master’s degree in french language & literature, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in French Language & Literature
No school ranked higher than Columbia University In The City Of New York this year for french language & literature. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 17 french language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $54,327. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full french language & literature details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in french language & literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 french language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their french language & literature degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $27,815 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,746 to complete this degree.
See the full french language & literature program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
Middlebury College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best french language & literature schools. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 30 french language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the french language & literature program make about $53,716 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete this degree.
Read more about the french language & literature program at Middlebury College
Other French Language & Literature Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare French Language & Literature rankings across degree levels:
View All French Language & Literature Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 544 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.